CO 737 off runway in DEN

[Whataburger]

USAir flight 5050
The crew reported that the aircraft began to drift during the takeoff roll which the first officer attempted to counteract with rudder inputs. The aircraft continued to drift and the captain attempted to assist by using the nosewheel steering tiller. The crew then reported hearing a bang followed by continued rumbling. At this point, the abort decision was made. The aircraft had accelerated to nearly 140kts however, and due to the wet conditions of the runway, could not be stopped in time.
Investigators believed the rumbling sound to have been the nose wheel turning and then sliding down the runway. Recovery of the FDR showed that the rudder trim had been left in the full left deflection position throughout the takeoff. in fact, it had been in that position since the aircraft was started at the gate. This would normally be an item on the pre-takeoff checklist and recovery of the CVR indicated that the crew had checked the rudder trim during the checklist.

Wasn't there a follow-up that indicated that the crew did properly perform all checklists, but a jumpseater inadvertantly moved the trim w/his feet?

 

[Captzaahlie]

StrykerFL for avatar of the year.

i second that...

 

[Captzaahlie]

rattling is a repetitive noise with a somewhat regular frequency. The most obvious sources (no big stretch of the imagination here) for a repetitive noise while on the ground are the landing gear/brakes system and the engine. Since both systems have revolving parts, any malfunction could easily lead to an audible rhythmic imbalance. Both systems also seem likely culprits given the loss of directional control. I would think blown tires or locked brakes (malfunctioning anti-skid) should leave very obvious physical evidence that would have been reported so far. Pieces of tire or skid marks that began while motion was in line with the runway centerline would have been easily noted and likely mentioned in early investigation statements.

I am not familiar with the 7373, but one other rattling item that could lead a pilot to abort a takeoff would be an unexpected activation of a stick shaker. Those of you who know the 737 stall protections can mor readily verify or deny the likelihood of this explanation...I have no idea what it would sound like. but, if it is possible, then it may be a sign that crazy winds were at play, which triggered the system on the ground and made directional control difficult. Or perhaps a spurious activation just plain caught the crew off-guard and led to an abort under difficult conditions. Any thoughts? No disrespect intended or implied...I am glad everyone made it out with their lives.

Interesting point about the stick shakers......

 

[Captzaahlie]

Its looking more and more like a poorly executed abort. Stay safe out there and be a good wingman.

And you determine this from what????

You are a DORK......

(wish i could post what i really want to say about your accident investigation here) uke:

 

[Captzaahlie]

I second!

guess that means i "thirded it" then...

 

[Donsa320]

Interesting point about the stick shakers......

Hmm, most modern airplanes suppress stall warnings on the ground.
The media has lost interest in the investigation at least around here so we hear nothing. Anybody heard anything since the "rumbling" report?

DC

 

[Captzaahlie]

Hmm, most modern airplanes suppress stall warnings on the ground.
The media has lost interest in the investigation at least around here so we hear nothing. Anybody heard anything since the "rumbling" report?

DC

True, but I've had my share of weight on wheels and proximity switches go bad.....

 

[imfloodedII]

the 500 has the extra jumpseat behind the captain. hope the seat belts weren't rattling around.

 

[SuperFLUF]

.. Anybody heard anything since the "rumbling" report?...
DC

Investigation is on a Christmas break. They're going to remove the wreckage "after Christmas". Curious about possible problems with the nose gear.

http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_11298872

I'm sure if it was the stick shaker or something easily identifiable, the pilots and DFDR would have clued the investigators in on it.

 

[Donsa320]

Investigation is on a Christmas break. They're going to remove the wreckage "after Christmas". Curious about possible problems with the nose gear.

http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_11298872

I'm sure if it was the stick shaker or something easily identifiable, the pilots and DFDR would have clued the investigators in on it.

Hey, thanks. I should have thought of the Post myself. FI makes one lazy. <grin>

DC

 

[Captain X]

Nice. Do you have the cojones (and lack of class) to travel to the hospital in Denver to say that to his and his family's face?


Dispite the rumor I saw earlier, he is not over 60. Not even close.

Thank you!

I'm more than a little pissed that the factual corrections to the BS posts about the CA's age (and hire date) was quickly pulled from here but the originals which prompted them was not.

I'm tired of people taking pot-shots at the CA.

Maybe that's why I quit coming here so much what with all the doooosh-pumps on here an all.

 

[Ex737Driver]

Its looking more and more like a poorly executed abort. Stay safe out there and be a good wingman.

Myself and a few others here would like to meet you in the EWR crew room to discuss this further. Please post here when you have some time from your Sherlock Holmes investigation service so we can all "chat".

 

[ATRedneck]

Myself and a few others here would like to meet you in the EWR crew room to discuss this further. Please post here when you have some time from your Sherlock Holmes investigation service so we can all "chat".

I think me and Captain X could arrange a meeting with instructordude in H-town if Newark isn't convenient for him.

:crying::smash:

 

[Ticker]

BLANKET PARTY!:beer:

 

[sleeves]

Its looking more and more like a poorly executed abort.

I guess it takes one to know one.